Folding catamaran



Filed Jan. 28, 1948 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 JNVENTOR.

ROBERT H. STEWART 4 TTORNE V Jam,- E, W59 R. H. STEWART FOLDINGCATAMARAN 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 28, v 1948 JNVENTOR. ROBERT H.STEWART- 6M @(PMQ Patented Jan. 17, 1950 'UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE2,495,190 FOLDING CATAMARAN Robert H. Stewart, Detroit, Mich.

Application January 28, 1948, Serial No. 4,861

8 Claims.

This invention relates to small boats and particularly to a pleasurecraft or catamaran. An important object of this invention is to providea light weight boat having novel projecting buoyant members or floatscapable of being collapsed or folded for convenient portability andwhich is easily launched and removed from the body of water upon whichit is used. Another important object of the invention is to provide animproved boat of the catamaran type having a body portion normallyseating one occupant and provided with laterally extending diverginglegs having novel floats on the outer ends thereof adapted to supportthe body in spaced relationship above the surface level. A furtherimportant object of the invention is to provide novel means adjustablysecuring the floats to the body so that in operating'position they aremaintained in rigid spaced apart relationship thereto and in inoperativeposition they are nested together under the body of the boat. A stillfurther important object of this invention is to provide a boat of thischaracter which is composed of parts capable of manufacture and assemblyat low cost.

In-carrying out the invention, the catamaran preferably comprises anoccupant supporting body including a flat bottom to the underside ofwhich" are pivotally secured rigid members or legs carrying floats onthe outer ends thereof. The pivotal connection of these legs is suchthat they may be swung from an operative projecting position toan'inoperative folded position under the boat and to carry the floatstherewith in whatever position they'are adjusted. An important featureof the invention is the provision of means for releasably holding thelegs in projecting operating position. Another important feature is theprovision of means for pivotally connecting the floats to theirrespective legs so that when the legs are folded under the boat thefloats may be turned for nested assembly thereunder. A still furtherimportant feature of the invention relates to the construction of thefloats themselves, each being preferably formed of a sealed inflatabletube elongated in one dimension and reinforced in a novel manner alongthe top and bottom portions thereof.

Other objects, advantages and meritorious features of this inventionwill become more fully apparent from the following specification,appended claims and accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective View of a boat constructedin accordance withthis invention,

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the boat of Fig. 1,

Fig. 3 is a bottom view of the boat showing the legs and float supportsin nested position thereunder,

Fig. 4 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view through one of thefloats taken along line 4-4 of Fig. 2,

Fig. 5 is a vertical cross sectional view taken along line 5--5 of Fig.4,

Fig. 6 is an enlarged detailed sectional view of one of the connectionsof the legs to the body taken a1ong6-G of Fig. 2,

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary enlarged sectional view taken along line 'l'! ofFig. 4,

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary bottom view of the body showing one form ofconnecting the legs in folded relation thereunder, and

Fig. 9 is a detail of the connecting element employed for holdin thelegs in folded condition.

In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, the occupant receivingframe or body comprises relatively flat bottom I0 formed of sheet metalor the like and side walls I2 rising for a short distance thereabove onall sides of the boat. The body is very similar to bodies used onchildrens coaster wagons. However, other types of bodies may be used andif desired constructed in an oval formation or any other formation.Projecting from each corner of the body is a rigid member or leg to theouter end of which is attached a float. Although the boat may go ineither direction or even sidewise, if desired, the front end of the bodyfor the purpose of this description is indicated at I4 in the drawings.The two legs lE-IB at the corners of the front end of the body arepreferably shorter in length than the two legs lill8 at the corners ofthe rear end 2B of the body. The front set of legs Iii-46 correspond insize and formation to one another and likewise the rear set l8-l8correspond in size and formation to one another. In assembled operatingposition the floats carried by the front legs are disposed inwardlyoithe floats carried by the rear legs as clearly shown in Fig. 2.

Each leg is pivotally connected at its inner end to the underside of thebottom ll! of the body 3 The pivotal axes for the rear set of legs areindicated at 24-44. These axes are preferably spaced inwardly from thefront and side walls of the body and spaced apart from one another inorder to obtain the nested relationship shown in Fig. 3.

Each pivotal connection is the same for all legs so that a descriptionof such a connection in Fig. 6 will suffice for all four legs of theillustrated embodiment of theinvention. The bottom iii of the body ispreferably constructed with two longitudinally extending reinforcingribs indicated at 26-26 which may extend the full length of the body asshown. These ribs may be formed durin the manufacture of the body bysubjecting the bottom plate In toa stamping operation to deform the sameto provide the channel shaped ribs 2626. The channels of these ribs opendownwardly and adjacent to the opposite ends of each rib thereof, thereis provided a rectangular or square shaped block 28; of a size andthickness to be slidably received within the channel of the rib andextend flush with the underside of the bottom I0. Each block 28 isprovided with a central square-shaped aperture and extendingtherethrough is a bolt or stud 3t! headed at its upper end and providedwith a square portion 32 immediately below the head and an externallythreaded portion 34 adjacent tothe lower end of the bolt. Each leg IE orI8 is circularly apertured to receive the bolt as shown in Fig. 6 and innormal position the leg is mounted over the cylindrical portion of thebolt between the squared end section 32 and the threaded end section 34.The latter projects below the leg and threaded thereon isa nut 35 fortightening the leg in place. A removable cotter pin indicated at 38 ispreferably used to prevent accidental detachment of the nut from thebolt. If desired a thin washer 40 of synthetic rubber may be interposedbetween the block 28 and the inner end of the. leg. By this mounting itis evident that any leg may be swung relative to the body upon looseningthe nut 36p Means is provided for releasably holding anyoneof'the legsin their projected operating po-. sition shown in Figs. 1 and 2. Suchmeans is preferably accomplished by providing an upwardly projectingboss 42 on each leg intermediate its ends and so disposed with referencetothe body that in the projected position of the leg it is located underthe bottom ill adjacent to the corner thereof. from which the legextends. The bottom H) is provided adjacent to each corner thereof witha bumped up portion 44 of a size to receive the boss 42 and so locatedwith respect to the pivotal axis of the leg that the boss will bereceived therein in the .operating position of the leg. When soreceived, the leg may be tightened in position by threading the nut 36into engagement with the leg.

As previously mentioned buoyantmembers or floats are attached to theouter ends of the legs. These floats are so designed that they have alongitudinal dimension considerably greater than their transversedimension. Preferably these floats are sealed inflatable tubes closed attheir opposite ends and provided with valve means for introducing airunder pressure. One such float isshown in detail in Figs. 4 and 5 and itis understood that the remaining floats are of like construction and areattached in the same manner to their respective legs.

Referring to Figs. 4 and 5 an inflatable tubular float of rubber orflexible. plastic materialis in,

dicated at 4B and in inflated condition is adapted to assume acylindrical formation such as that shown in Fig. 5 having rounded ends48-48. For strengthening purposes, each float is constructed so that itis thicker on the top and bottom portions thereof than the side wallsand the ends thereof as shown in Figs. 4 and 5. Such thicker portionsare indicated at 50 and 52 extending the length of the tube respectivelyalong the top and bottom portions thereof. Interposed between the outerend of each leg and its associated float is an elongated plate member 54arcuate in cross section. The arcuate formation is such that when thetube is inflated the latter conforms substantially to the same curvatureas the plate 54 as shown in Fig. 5. The plate 54 of each float assemblyis preferably detachably secured to the float by being received understraps 56-456 located on opposite sides of the pivotal connection of theleg thereto. These straps are preferably ofthe same materialas the tubeand have their opposite ends secured to the tube but are free thereofthroughout, the balance of their lengths. The tube in deflated conditiontherefore may be assembled upon the plate by sliding the plate under,the'straps. and thereafter upon inflation of the tube the latterisretained in position thereon.

Each leg 56 is secured to the plate of its'float by means of a nut andbolt assembly similar to that employed for pivotally connecting the legsto the body. As shown in Fig. 7 a headed bolt mem: ber 53 is extendedthrough a squared aperture in the plate 54 approximately midwaybetweenthe ends thereof and with the head on the underside of the plate. Thebolt projects upwardly beyond theplate and through an aperture formed inthe end of the leg. The end of the boltopposite to, the head isexternally threaded and received thereon is a nut 60 similar to the nut36 previously described. The bolt is held from rotation by beingprovided with a squared shankportion received within the squared hole ofthe plate, 54. The opposite end section of the bolt isexternallythreaded for the threaded engagement with the nut 60. When thelatter-is tightened againstv the leg it cooperates'with thesquaredportion of the bolt to hold the tube against pivotal movement. Thus itis possible to lock the floats in parallel relationship in the mannershown ,in Fig.2 so: that the bolt may be propelled easily in either aforward or rearward direction.

For convenient portability, the legs-and their respective float supportsmay be swung to a 001 lapsed or folded position under the body. in themanner shown in Fig. 3. The legs l61l6 and.- 8| 8 are swung in under theboat body carrying. the float supporting plates 54 therewith. Eitherbefore or after swinging movement to this folded 0 position, the nuts ineach floatassembly are loosened sufliciently to permit the plates 54:topbe turned so that either the front set or rearset, of plates extendparallel while; the remaining set extends at an acute angle to oneanother as shown in Fig. 3. The relationship of the parts is such thatwhen the legs and the platesare so swung; they may be nested togethercompletely within. the boundary of the body in the manner. shown in Fig.3.

Although in their collapsed'nested positiomthe legs may be tied togetherto prevent separation; it is preferred to use special meansv forinterlock-,1

ingly securing the legs together under thejbody For this purpose, thereis attached to the underside of the bottom; 10 of; thebodyani-elementwhich is adapted to releasablyhold the, outside pair ofsupporting plates 54 together. Although this may be accomplished inseveral difierent ways, there is shown in Figs. 3, 8 and v9 a downwardlyprojecting stud 62 having a head on the lower end thereof. The upper endof the stud may be spot welded or otherwise secured to the underside ofthe body. The adjacent ends of the two outside plates 54 in the nestedposition of the legs are each provided with an aperture 64 in the cornerthereof adjacent to the centerline of the body. Secured on the stud andreceivable in these apertures is a wire member 66 of the character shownin Fig. 9. The wire member is looped intermediate its ends forencirclement of the stud between the head thereof and the bottom of thebody. The two diverging arms 68-48 of the member are each provided ontheir outer ends with inturned hooks Hi-40 which are adapted to enterthe apertures 64 and hold the two outer plates 54 of the nested assemblyagainst separation. The legs associated with the two plates thusconnected substantially abut the other set of legs and hold the latterand their respective float supporting plates in nested relationship.While nested the tubes 46 may be removed but if desired they may be lefton the plates 54 in partially deflated condition.

For convenient portability, one or both sides of the body may beprovided with a handle. As shown in Fig. l, a folding type of handle 12is pivotally connected at its opposite ends to the side wall I2 of thebody. With the legs and associated parts nested under the body, thehandle may be used to carry the body similar to a suitcase or travelingbag.

There may be removably carried within the body a hand pump 14 and acollapsible canoetype of paddle 16. These implements are shown in Fig. 2mounted in brackets on opposite side walls of the body.

What I claim is:

1. A pleasure craft comprising, in combination, a body of a size toreceive an occupant, a. plurality of substantially horizontallyextending legs pivotally secured at their inner ends to the underside ofthe body and projecting outwardly from the corners thereof on all sidesof the body, a float associated with the outer end of each of said legs,and means pivotally connecting the outer end of each leg to the upperportion of its respective float, whereby the legs may be swung relativeto the body and the floats relative to the legs.

2. A pleasure boat comprising, in combination, an opened top body of asize to receive an occupant, a substantially horizontally projecting legassociated with each corner of the body and projecting diverginglyoutwardly from the body at an acute angle to the longitudinal medianline thereof, means pivotally securing the inner end of each of saidlegs to the comer of the body from which it projects and providingswinging movement thereof from said projecting position to a collapsedposition within the boundary of the body, a hollow inflatable floatassociated with the outer end of each of said legs, and means pivotallyconnecting the outer end of each leg to the upper portion of itsrespective float whereby the floats when the legs are collapsed withinthe boundary of the body may be turned to assume a nested assemblythereunder.

3. A catamaran comprising, in combination, a hollow open type bodyforreceiving an occupant, a substantially horizontally extending legassociated' with each corner of the .bodyandinop erating positionprojecting outwardly therefrom, means pivotally connecting the innerends of each of said legs to the underside of said body and providingswinging movement of the legs from their outward projecting operatingposition to a collapsed inoperative position under the body, a hollowinflatable elongated tubular float for the outer end of each of saidlegs, means connecting the outer ends of the legs to the upper portionsof their respective floats and holding the latter so that the axes ofthe floats extend parallel to one another, said last means adaptedtoprovide swinging movement of the floats relative to their respectivelegs whereby when the latter are swung to collapsed position under thebody the floats may be turned to assume a nested position under thebody.

4. Acatamaran comprising, in combination, a hollow open type body ofgeneral rectangular formationfor receiving an occupant, a substantiallyhorizontally extending leg associated with'each corner of the body andin operating position projecting angularly outwardly therefrom, meanspivotally connecting the inner end of each leg to the underside of saidbody and providing swinging movement of the leg from its outwardprojecting operating position to a collapsed inoperative position underthe body, an elongated sealed hollow inflatable tube associatedwith'each leg, means connecting the outer ends of the legs to the upperportions of their respective tubes and holding the latter so that theaxes thereof extend parallel to one another, and means cooperatingbetween each leg and the underside of the bottom of the body forreleasably holding the legs in their projecting operating position.

5. A catamaran comprising, in combination, an occupant receiving body, asubstantially horizontally extending leg associated with each corner ofthe body and in operating position projecting outwardly therefrom, meanspivotally connecting the inner ends of said legs to the underside ofsaid body and providing swinging movement of the legs from theirprojecting operating position to an inoperative folded position underthe body, a float secured to the outer end of each leg and cooperatingtogether to support the body in elevated position above the surfacelevel of the body of water upon which the floats rest, means cooperatingbetween the body and each leg for holding the leg in its outwardprojecting operating position, and means cooperating between the bodyand one or more of said legs for releasably holding the legs in theirfolded position under the body.

6. A catamaran comprising, in combination, a body of a size to receivean occupant, a substantially horizontally extending leg associated witheach corner of the body, means movably connecting each leg to theunderside of the body and providing movement thereof from an operatingprojecting position extending outwardly from the body to an inoperativeposition under the body, a plate member connected to the outer end ofeach leg and forming a base support for a hollow inflatable float, meansfor releasably locking said legs in their operating projecting position,and means for releasably locking said legs and their associated platemembers in their inoperative position under the body.

7. A catamaran comprising, in combination, an opened top type of bodyfor receiving an occupant, a substantially horizontally extending legassociated with each corner of the body, means piyotally connectingoneend of each of said: legs to: the undersideof thelbody for swingingmove-'- mentlabout'va vertical axis, said means providing swingingmovement of the legs from an outward projecting operating position to acollapsed inoperative position under the body, a hollow .inflatableelongatedtube for the oppositev outer end of each; ofhsaid 1egs,'asupporting arcuate plate member foreach tube-having ascurvature'conforming substantially to the curvature of the inflatedtube and having the concave facethereof abutting the tube. to form aseat therefore, means 1 pivotally connecting the. convex face of eaehofsaid. platemembers to. the undersideof the. outer ends, of said legs,means cooperating between: the::body; and each leg for releasablyholding theleg; in its, outward projecting openating position, and meanscooperating between said bodyiand two or'more of the said p1ate membersfor releasablyholding the members and the legswith which they areassociated in collapsed inoperative position under the body.

8. Akcatamaran comprising, in combination, an occupant supporting body,a substantially horizontallyv extending leg associated with eachcornerof thebody, meanspivotally connecting one end of eachofsaictlegsto the body for swinging movement about a vertical axis, said means.pro-. viding, swinging movementof the legs from an outward projectingoperating position to a collapsedinoperative. position under the body, ahol- REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in thefile-of this patent-r UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 53,775.-Boon; Apr. 10, 1866 547,422 i Dean Oct. 8, 1895 1,683,029 FrangerSept/l, 1928 FOREIGNPA'IYENTS Number Country: Date 4,262 SwitzerlandOct. 13,1891 27598;: Y Great Britaim 1911 357,124 Germany Augxl6', 1922398,919 France Apr. 6, 1909.

